New Zealand has overcome a late batting collapse and captain Sophie Devine’s illness to upset world champions Australia with a four-wicket victory in the second Twenty20 women’s cricket international at Napier.

Needing three runs off the final ball to win, the White Ferns locked up the three-game series at 1-1 on Tuesday after Maddy Green’s inside edge off Nicola Carey (1-24) went to the fine leg boundary at McLean Park.

After Australia was restricted to 4-129, Green (16 not out) shared an unbeaten 30-run, seventh-wicket stand with Hannah Rowe (14 not out) to steer the hosts to 6-131 and a rare win over their trans-Tasman rivals.

New Zealand’s Frankie Mackay defied injury to step up in the absence of world No.1 T20 all-rounder Devine, who did not play due to illness.

The White Ferns take the second T20 in a final-ball thriller. We'll be back for the series decider on Thursday 💪

Scorecard: https://t.co/7l678GzAYA #NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/3el1tG0DA1

— Australian Women's Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) March 30, 2021

After claiming 2-20 with her off-spin, Mackay then filled the opener vacancy created by Devine’s omission to thrash 46 off 39 balls.

She hit three fours and two sixes despite suffering a hamstring injury early in her innings.

Mackay and Amelia Kerr (36 off 33) put the hosts in the box seat before they lost 3-4 to stumble to 6-101 in the 17th over, with Megan Schutt (2-24) at one stage on a hat-trick.

But Green and Rowe held their nerve to ensure the series will be decided in Thursday’s third T20 in Auckland.

Scenes in Napier! #NZvAUS pic.twitter.com/ylQYPjiSVH

— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) March 30, 2021

Australia has not lost a T20 series since late 2017 – a remarkable run that includes two World Cup triumphs.

Overall Australia has lost just twice in 19 games against the White Ferns across all formats but has never won a T20 series in New Zealand.

World No.4 New Zealand last beat Australia in a T20 series back in early 2017.

New Zealand got home despite impressive quick Darcie Brown making her international debut for Australia.

The 18-year-old took 1-26 after slotting in for fellow quick Tayla Vlaeminck, who was rested on Tuesday following her long-awaited return from a year-long injury layoff in Sunday’s series opener at Hamilton, which the visitors won by six wickets.

Earlier, Australia failed to get going with the bat despite opener Beth Mooney’s unbeaten 61 off 54 balls.

Mooney’s 10th T20 half-century featured six fours.

After another cheap dismissal for Alyssa Healy (four), Mooney put on 50 runs with skipper Meg Lanning (27 off 25) and a 49-run stand with Rachael Haynes (29 off 25).

-AAP